Hastings

Hastings' population grew between the last two censuses. Data from the census show there were changes in marriage, religion and housing tenure.

The population passed 90,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Hastings increased by 6.1%, from about 85,000 to 90,300.

The addition of about 5,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Hastings was home to, on average, 22 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Fewer married people

This area saw the South East's largest fall in the proportion of married people.

Across the region, Medway saw the next largest decrease in the proportion of married people (from 52% in 2001 to 46% in 2011).

In 2011, just under 4 in 10 (40%) people aged 16 and over in Hastings said they were married, compared with 46% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single increased from 30% to 37%.

The proportion of married people was lower than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were married across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Changes in family structure

This area saw the South East's joint second-largest fall in the proportion of households with children, alongside Fareham.

In 2011, just over one in four (26%) households in Hastings had at least one dependent child, compared with 29% in 2001. The percentage with no children increased from 65% to 66%.

The proportion of households with children was lower than across the South East

Percentage of households that with at least one dependent child across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Hastings

The number of people in Hastings that described themselves as Christian increased from about 57,000 in 2001 to just under 47,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 67% to 52% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the South East (from 73% to 60%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in Hastings that described themselves as having no religion increased from just over 18,000 in 2001 to just over 33,000 in 2011 (from 21% to 37%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from about 7,900 to about 7,500 (from 9.3% to 8.3%).

About 1,200 people (0.8%) said they were Muslim, up from just under 640 in 2001 (1.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Christian in Hastings decreased by 16 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Hastings by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Hastings that rented privately increased from 19% to 29% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in seven (15%) households lived in social housing, compared with 16% in 2001. The percentage of Hastings households that owner their home decreased from 63% to 55%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of the South East (from 10% in 2001 to 16% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Hastings increased by 9.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Hastings, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Hastings residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 11% to 7.4% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (77%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 63% in 2001. The percentage of Hastings residents that described their health as fair decreased from 26% to 16%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Hastings decreased by 3.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Hastings, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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